Mechanical monorail drop switch



Feb. 27, 1962 J 5 ROBERTS 3,022,745

MECHANICAL MONORAIL DROP SWITCH Filed June 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1Fig.

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Feb. 27, 1962 J s ROBERTS 3,022,745

MECHANICAL MONORAIL DROP SWITCH I Filed June 26, 1959 2 Sheets-Shee t 2Fig. 3

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United dtates intent 3,022,745 MECHANICAL MGNQRAFL DRGP SWHCH J SRoberts, Grove Park Drive, Bristol, Va. Filed June 26, 1959, Ser. No.823,056 9 Claims. (Cl. 104-99) This invention relates generally toconveyance systems and more particularly to a mechanical drop switchforming a portion or" a monorail conveyance system.

Monorail conveyance systems are used in a variety of applications inindustry. It is often desirable and necessary to include switching meansin the monorail track in order to direct the movement of particularcarriers. More particularly, it is often desired to have a singleinitial trackway which feeds a plurality of trackways. Accordingly,means must be provided for directing the desired carrier into the propertrackway. Therefore, switches of a sort must be utilized. Of course, itis desirable to have the switch construction as simple and reliable aspossible so as not to encumberthe monorail system. In view of this, itis the principal object of this invention to provide a novel mechanicaldrop switch construction for a monorail system which is relativelysimple in construction and operation and accordingly inexpensive andmaintenance free.

It is a more particular object of this invention to provide a mechanicalmonorail drop switch construction which includes a track section adaptedto communicate a first and second track part for forming a continuoustrack length. The track section is interposed between the first andsecond track parts and is normally latched thereto. Particular carrierspassing along the track length are adapted to engage a releasing leverto unlatch the track section from the first and second track parts. Aplate is supported above the track section and has an openingtherethrough for passing a drum attached to the track sections. A spiralkey is affixed to the drum and accommodated in a keyway formed in theplate. Accordingly, when a carrier moving along the continuous tracklength, abuts the releasing lever to unlatch the track section, it isfree to turn and move downwardly as the drum may drop through theopening in the plate, simultaneously being turned by the action of thekeyway upon the spiral key. The weight of the carrier on the unlatched.track section aids in carrying the drum downwardly through the opening.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a novelmechanical monorail drop switch construction which includes adjustablemeans for limiting the amount of drop and turn of the track section. Theadjustable means are in the form of stop members which are slidablyretained in the drum and extend outwardly therefrom. By positioning thestop members, as desired, they will abut the plate after the desiredportion of the key has passed through the keyway. The stop means ofcourse should be adjusted so that the track section may turn and movedownwardly into alignment with a third track part, below and out ofalignment with the first and second track parts.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide a mechanicalmonorail drop switch construction which includes counterweight means forreturning the track section to its original position after the carrierhas passed.

It is a still further object of this invention to provide shield meansfor preventing the carrier which has released the latch means fromrunning ofi the track section while it is moving from alignment with thefirst and second track parts into alignment with the third track part.Also, a shield is provided to prevent subsequent carriers from runningoff the first track part when the track section is not in alignmenttherewith.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of the drop switch construction interposedbetween first and second track parts to form a continuous track length.The track section is illustrated in dotted lines in its unlatchedposition in alignment with the third track part;

FIGURE 2 is an elevational side view of theinvention;

FIGURE 3 is" an enlarged vertical sectional view taken substantiallyalong the plane 33 0f FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 4 is a sectional view substantiallysimilar to the viewillustrated in FIGURE 3 but, however, thei track section is shown inalignment with the third track part; and

FIGURE 5 is an elevational fragmentary view of" the plate illustratingthe drum opening and keywayformed therein.

With continuing reference to the drawings, the numeral It] generallyrepresents the drop switch comprising this invention and includingatrack section 12 adapted to be interposed between a first track part 14and a second track part 16 to form a continuous track length. The switch10 is designed to allow a carrier 18 to be directed from the first trackpart 14 to a third track part 20.

The carrier 18 substantially includes four wheels 22 rotatably mountedin bridging elements 24 between which a downwardly extending supportingrod 26 is secured. The wheels 22 are adapted to carry the rod 26 alongthe track length. if it be desired that the particular carrier 18 bedirected from the path defined by the first and second track parts 14and i6 and the interposed track section 12 to the'third track part 20,an upstanding projection 28 is positioned on the carrier.

A flat plate 3% is secured to the first and second track parts 14 and 16above the track section 12. Short posts 32, 34 and 36 are secured to theplate 30. Supported from the post 3-4 by pivot pin 38 is a releasinglever 44 which extends through opening 42 in the plate 30 into the tracksection 12. The releasing lever 49 is adapted to be abutted by theprojection 28 fixed on the carrier 26. An arm 44 is pivoted to thereleasing lever 46 beneath. the pivot pin 3i; as at 46. An arm 48 havingan arcuate offset 49 is pivoted to the releasing lever it; above thepivot pin 33 as at 59. In turn, the arm 44 is pivotally secured to alatch 52 at 54. The latch 52 is in turn pivoted to the post 32 at 55 andextends through the opening 58 in plate 3%. The latch 52 has a taperedprojection at; which extends beneath the upper surface '13 of the tracksection 12. In a, like manner, the arm 48 is pivoted to a latch 61 atpivot point 62. The latch 61 is pivoted to the post 36 at 64 and alsohas a tapered projection 66 on the bottom thereof adapted to underliethe upper surface 13 of track section 12. Accordingly, as will be seenin the solid line position of FIGURE 3 the projections 60 and 66 supportthe track section 12 in alignment with the first and second track par-ts14 and 16.

As noted, it a carrier 18 is supporting a projection 28, the projection28 will abut the releasing lever 40 to pivot the lever to the dotted'line' position illustrated in- FIG- URE 3 and accordingly move the arms44 and &8 respectively to pull the projections 60 and 66 away from thetrack section 12 to release the track section 12. It will be realizedthat the carrier 18 upon abutting the releasing lever 461 is fullyaccommodated by the track section 12. i 4

The track section 12 has a drum 70 extending upwardly therefrom throughair 'opening 72 defined inthe plate 30.

A spiral key 74 is secured to the cylindrical surface of the drum 70 andextends through a keyway 76 formed in the plate 30 adjacent the opening72. The drum 7% has a pivotally mounted reduced upper portion 78 whichis pivotally connected to a beam 80 by bolt 82 extending through a slot84 formed in the beam. The beam 80 is pivoted to a post 86 extendingupwardly from the plate 30 at pivot point 88. The beam 80 terminallycarries a counterweight 90, remote from the drum 70. It will beappreciated that when the projections 66 and 66 are moved away from thetrack section 12, the track section 12 is in turn free to move from thefixed plate 30. Accordingly, the weight of the carrier 18 on the tracksection 12 causes the drum to move downwardly through the plate 30.Simultaneously, the key 74 moving through keyway 76 causes the drum 70to rotate about the vertical axis defined by the reduced upper portion78 causing track section 12 to rotate in a counterclockwise direction asindicated by the arrowsin FIGURE 1.

Diametrically opposite slots 92 are longitudinally formed in the drum 7!and stop members 94 and 96 which may be in the form of bolts projectoutwardly from the drum. The stop members 94 and 96 are adjustablymovable in the slots 92 and accordingly, the amount of the spiral key 74which passes through the keyway 76 is controlled by the setting of thestop members 94 and 96. More particularly, it will be appreciated thatwhen the stop members 94 and 96 are carried down by the drum 70 intoabutting relationship with the plate 39, the downward movement andturning movement of the track section 12 is halted. The stop members 94and 96 are adjusted so that the track section 12 moves from its positionin alignment with the first and second track parts 14 and 16 and intoalignment with the third track part 20 located below and out ofalignment with the track parts 14 and 16. The carrier 18 being carriedby the track section 12 having a forward inertia passes from the tracksection 12 onto the track part 26 when the track section 12 is carriedinto alignment therewith. After the carrier 18 is deposited on the thirdtrack part 20, the counterweight 96 secured to the beam 89 carries thedrum 70 upwardly as the beam 86 pivots about pivot point 88. Of course,the spiral key 74 passing through the keyway 76 pivots the track section12 back into alignment with the first and second track parts 14 and 16.The tapered projections 66 and 66 allow the track section 12 to move thelatch members 52 and 61 away so that the projections 60 and 66 may passto their dotted line positions illustrated in FIGURE 3 sons to againsecure the track section 12 in alignment with the track parts 14 and 16.

A first shield 100 is arcuate and connects the second track part 16 tothe third track part 23 adjacent the forward end of the track section 12so as to prevent the carrier 18 from passing ofi the track section 12while the track section 12 is moving between its respective positionsbetween alignment with the second track part 16 and alignment with thethird track part 20. In order to prevent subsequent carriers fromrunning off the first track part 14, an L-shaped shield 102 is pivotedto a post 104 at pivot point 106. When the track section 12 is in itsnormal latched position as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, it engagesthe shield 102 to move the shield out of blocking relationship relativeto the first track part 14. However, when the track section 12 pivotsbetween track part 16 and 20, the shield 102 falls into its verticalposition in blocking relationship to the first track part 14.

It is thought that the structural features of the invention should nowbe well understood. A brief rsum of the operation will hereafter be setforth. When it is desired to direct a particular carrier from the normalcontinuous track length including first and second parts 14 and 16 andinterposed track section 12, a projection 28 is placed on the carrier 18adapted to abut the release lever 40. Upon pivoting the release lever 49the latch members 52 and 61 release the track section 12 and the weightof the carrier 18 upon the track section causes the drum 70 to movedownwardly through the opening '72 in the plate 30. The spiral key 74moves through the keyway 76 to rotate the drum 70 and turn the tracksection 12 affixed thereto. The stop members 94 and 96 limit themovement of the track section 12 and should be adjusted correctly sothat the track section 12 moves into alignment with the third track part20. When the track section 12 is aligned with the third track part 25),the carrier 18 will continue onwardly into the third track part 26. Theshield 100 prevents the carrier 18 from running oii the track section 12intermediate its two aligned positions. The counterweight 90 returns thetrack section 12 to its position in alignment with track parts 14 and 16after the weight of the carrier 18 has been removed from the tracksection 12. The shield 162 is utilized to prevent subsequent carriersfrom running off the first track part 14 when the track section 12 isnot in alignment therewith.

From the foregoing, it is thought that the construction and utilizationof the drop switch should be apparent. Further, it should be appreciatedthat the simplicity of the invention increases the reliability andreduces the expense thereof and accordingly represents a clearpatentable advance over the teachings of the prior art.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

What is claimed as new is as follows:

1. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system,said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a thirdpart constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including atrack section interposed between said first and second parts to formtherewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said tracksection to said first and second parts and releasing means responsive tomovement of a carrier onto said track section for automaticallyreleasing said latch means permitting movement of said track sectioninto alignment with said third track part.

2. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system,said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a thirdpart constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including atrack section interposed between said first and second parts to formtherewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said tracksection to said first and second parts and releasing means forautomatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means includinga lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by acarrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said tracksection into alignment with said third track part.

3. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system,said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a thirdpart constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including atrack section interposed between said first and second parts to formtherewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said tracksection to said first and second parts and releasing means forautomatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means includinga lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by acarrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said tracksection into alignment with said third track part, and control means fordirecting the movement of said released track section into alignmentwith said third track part.

4. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system,said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a thirdpart constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including atrack section interposed between said first and second parts to formtherewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said tracksection to said first and second parts and releasing means forautomatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means includinga lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by acarrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said tracksection into alignment with said third track part, and control means fordirecting the movement of said released track section into aligmnentwith said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed tosaid track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supportedabove said track section and having an opening through which said drumextends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodatingsaid spiral key.

5. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system,said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a thirdpart constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including atrack section interposed between said first and second parts to formtherewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said tracksection to said first and second parts and releasing means forautomatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means includinga lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by acarrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said tracksection into alignment with said third track part, and control means fordirecting the movement of said released track section intoalignment'with said third track part, said control means including adrum fixed to said track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, aplate supported above said track section and having an opening throughwhich said drum extends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening foraccommodating said spiral key, a first post fixed to said plate, a beampivoted to said post, said beam pivotally and terminally connected tosaid drum, said beam terminally carrying a counterweight remote fromsaid drum.

6. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system,said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a thirdpart constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including atrack section interposed between said first and second parts to formtherewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said tracksection to said first and second parts and releasing means forautomatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means includinga lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by acarrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said tracksection into alignment with said third track part, and control means fordirecting the movement of said released track section into alignmentwith said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed tosaid track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supportedabove said track section and hav ing an opening through which said drumextends,, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodatingsaid spiral key, adjustable stopmeans carried by said drum adapted toabut said plate to stop downward movement of said drum through saidopening.

7. In combination with a track forming a portion ot a monorail system,said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a thirdpart constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including atrack section interposed between said first and second parts to formtherewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said tracksection to said first and second parts and releasing means forautomatically releasing said latch means, said releasing means includinga lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by acarrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said tracksection to alignment with said third track part, and control means fordirecting the movement of said released track section into alignmentwith said third track part, said control means including a drum fixed tosaid track section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supportedabove said track section and having an opening through which said drumextends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodatingsaid spiral key, said third part positioned below said track length,said spiral key adapted to guide said track section into alignment withsaid third part.

In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system, saidtrack including spaced aligned first and second parts and a third partconstituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including a tracksection interposed between said first and second parts to form therewitha continuous track length, latch means securing said track section tosaid first and second parts and releasing means for automaticallyreleasing said latch means, said releasing means including a leverextending into said track section adapted to be engaged by a carriertraversing said track length permitting movement of said track sectionto alignment with said third track part, and control means for directingthe movement of said released track section into alignment with saidthird track part, said control means including a drum fixed to saidtrack section, a spiral key secured to said drum, a plate supportedabove said track section and having an open ing through which said drumextends, and a keyway formed adjacent said opening for accommodatingsaid spiral key, said third track part positioned below said tracklength, said spiral key adapted to guide said track section intoalignment with said third part, and an arcuate shield sloping betweenends of said second and third track parts to prevent said carrier fromleaving said track section while said track section is being moved fromin alignment with said second track part and into alignment with saidthird track part.

9. In combination with a track forming a portion of a monorail system,said track including spaced aligned first and second parts and a thirdpart constituting a switch track, a mechanical drop switch including atrack section interposed between said first and second parts to formtherewith a continuous track length, latch means securing said tracksection to said first and second parts and releasing means forautomatically releasing said latch means, said-releasing means includinga lever extending into said track section adapted to be engaged by acarrier traversing said track length permitting movement of said tracksection into alignment with said third track part, a member supportedabove said track section, said lever pivoted to said member, a pair ofarms pivotally connected to said lever on either side of the pivotalconnection between said lever and member, said latch means operablyconnected to said arms.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS896,499 Wittoefl t Aug. 18, 1908 1,150,003 Focardi Aug. 10, 19151,592,815 Harris July 13, 1926 2,035,355 Weise Mar. 24, 1936 2,407,620Vinsant Sept. 10, 1946 2,527,244 Culver Oct. 24, 0 2,845,035 PeltierJuly 29, 1958

